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8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
60,800 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replaced intake gasket (2 reports)
  3. change head gasket (1 reports)
  4. check the transmission coolant coil in the radiator for leak (1 reports)
2003 Chevrolet Malibu cooling system problems

cooling system problem

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2003 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #7

Nov 152009

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Are you kidding me? I had this car for 3 weeks and discovered this milky, slimy crap in my radiator overflow tank! Took it back to dealership and demanded someone fix it! I hadn't ahd this car for even a month yet!! They supposedly fixed the problem. NOW, here I am 2 years later with the same problem AGAIN, only its not just milky slimy stuff, its BLACK OIL in radiator overflow tank. (SEE NEXT COMPLAINT)

- bluegill, Mooresville, IN, US

problem #6

Apr 022011

Malibu 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

OKAY, here we go again!!! Thick black oil in my radiator overflow tank!! Was noticed when Pedigo Chevrolet in Camby did an oil change the first of this month. Mechanic called me back to show me the oil and said there was either a blown head or head gasket and they would be happy to fix it for me! I left there pi$$ed and thought they had poured oil into the reservoir! Now my check engine light is on so I'm having to take it and have a radiator flush job done. New mechanic is going to check for blown head and/or head gasket. Have no idea how much THIS will cost me! I'm so sick of being crewed over by car salesmen! When I bought this piece of $hit, the salesman assured me it was a good car! He KNEW that I am single and have no one to help or guide me when it comes time to vehicle repair! I have lost faithand trust for salesmen!! surprise surprise

- bluegill, Mooresville, IN, US

problem #5

Sep 012009

Malibu V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,496 miles

If you're thinking of buying a Malibu, DON'T. Nice car but it'll cost you nothing but more money. Had this car for only 2 years bought it used but only 30,000 km on it. Just like new. Now with only 70,000 km on it, I find oil in the antifreeze and am told it will cost me either $700.00 or $1500 - 2000.00 to repair whether it's the intake manifold gasket or the head gasket. This is a major repair bill after paying $12,000.00 for the car that should last longer than 2 years before a problem like this that could kill the motor.

My extended warranty ended 3 months ago and GM will not fix the problem unless I pay them this outrageous amount of money out of my pocket.

- golphy, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

problem #4

May 152009

Malibu LS 3.1L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS BULLSHIT THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF SH*T NOT ONLY DO I HAVE THIS OIL IN MY COOLANT NOW MY REAR LIGHTS DON'T WORK AND I MEAN NONE OF THEM WORK I BOUGHT THIS AMERICAN MADE PIECE OF SH*T IN FEB AND I THOUGHT I GOT A GOOD DEAL LOL. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED AMERICAN CARS MY WHOLE LIFE I COME FROM A VERY PATRIOTC FAMILY BUT I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER BUY AN AMERICAN MADE CAR AGAIN THIS IS BULL AND CHEVY KNOWS THEY MADE A PIECE OF SH*T BUT WHAT DO THEY CARE THEY GOT THEIR MONEY THEIR GOING TO KEEP SCREWING THE LITTLE GUY FOR AS LONG AS THEY CAN GET ALL OF THE BAIL OUT MONEY THEY CAN GET AND RUN LEAVING US HOLDING THE BAG WITH HIGHER TAX'S AND F*CKED UP CARS THE WE CAN'T EVEN DRIVE TO WORK . I'LL END WITH THIS "OH WHAT A FEELING TOYOTA" I'LL TRY THEM OUT WITH MY NEXT CAR.

- John K., Erie, PA, US

problem #3

May 012007

Malibu 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

went on vacation to Disney world left stranded at hotel mechanic said it was fuel pump 400.00 made it home now oil is in coolant and twice a week since car will not start and Chevy said it the anti theft system why it wont start just to leave keys on for 10 minutes and the car will restart great it starts what a inconvenience never know when to expect to start well that still doesnt fix the oil in the coolant and the overheating head gasket is the main problem Chevy you charged me over 12,000 dollars for this car I couldn't sell for 1500 think im ever buying a Chevy again no

- Duane P., Spring, TX, US

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problem #2

Jun 172007

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I say not sure of the price because my intake gasket went out AT THE SAME TIME as the fuel pump, so the bill was about 1100 bucks.

I was driving, and the car just stalled and rolled to a stop, and then it wouldn't turn over. This problem was probably due to the fuel pump, but when we initially popped the hood, we noticed right away that there was tons of oil mixed with the coolant in the over flow tank. What an expensive mess. This car is JUNK. It should of never had problems like this with that low of miles.

- amberiowa, Webster City, IA, US

problem #1

May 302007

(reported on)

Malibu Basic 3.1L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,894 miles

I paid a GM dealer to flush out the coolant system and clean out the coolant expansion tank. New dextron coolant was added. This problem was not covered under my extended warranty. Cost came to $100.00 Canadian. This problem has occurred again after a a few months of driving. My car back in for warranty repairs at different GM dealer and the mechanic recommends removing the radiator first and checking it for transmission oil leakage into the coolant. My opinion is that may well be the intake gasket problem. I am having second thoughts about owning domestic built cars.

- Ken G., Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

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